The 1994 General Assembly passed a number of public school laws. New legislation altered the open-meetings law, established the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards Commission and defined responsibilities of the Commission on School Technology.

Among other actions, the 1994 General Assembly appropriated funds for capital improvement throughout the University of North Carolina system and authorized such student finance programs as Scholarships for Native Americans.

Goals 2000, the national Educate America Act, was passed in 1994. States can receive funds for schools for their participation; however, the Gun Free Schools Act section conflicts with two North Carolina statute provisions.